Hematological Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Clinically Confirmed Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder of lipid metabolism which leads to premature cardiovascular diseases. In patients with FH, blood inflammatory markers may be disrupted; however, its extent is unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the NLR (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio), PLR (platelet count to lymphocyte count ratio), MPV (mean platelet volume), RPR (red blood cell distribution width to platelet count ratio), WBC (white blood cell), and PDW (platelet distribution width and platelet count).

The patients were selected from laboratories due to high cholesterol level and who had history of premature cardiovascular disease. The Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria are used for the detection of FH. Controls had a history of hyperlipidemia, and both groups could be on pharmacotherapy or not. All the biochemical markers were evaluated using appreciate methods. Statistical analysis was done using STATA 14.

The study group consisted of 1074 patients with FH and 473 control cases. Of the CBC inflammatory markers, only PLR was significantly (p value = 0.003) higher in FH patients (7.96 ± 10.08) compared to non-FH (6.45 ± 2.44). In FH patients, the PLR was significantly higher in probable/definite FH group (9.70 ± 14.06) compared to possible FH (7.36 ± 8.23) (p value < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that only RLR was independently associated with total cholesterol (b = 0.000, p = 0.13).

Our results may show the importance of high cholesterol on platelet activity and highlight the use of lipid lowering drugs in patients with hyperlipidemia.